Cute Boys Shorts for Summer

With warm weather right around the corner, I couldn’t pass up making some cute boys shorts with pockets for Summer. I found a great seersucker fabric on sale and I knew it was perfect for this project. This project is very similar to the pajama pants tutorial.

SUPPLIES

1/2- 1 yard fabric (depending on the side of the shorts you are making

1″ elastic for waistband- I physically measured around my son’s waist and subtracted 2″ to add to the stretch

coordinating thread

Baby Lock sewing machine

scissors, pins, safety pin, iron

pattern- I make my own based off a pair of shorts that fit well.

The measurements I used to create my pattern are for 2T shorts but you can make any size by just adjusting your measurements! To make your own pattern, turn a pair of shorts that fit comfortably inside out. Fold shorts in half with front side facing out and line up seams. Trace around front of shorts. Next, fold the shorts the opposite way with the back of the shorts facing out and trace around one side. The back should be slightly wider than the front since you store more back there! I added 1.5″ to the top and bottom of my pattern and 1/2″ on the sides before I cut it out for seam allowance and waistband.

Ok….now to create your pocket pattern. Take the front pattern and measure from the outside edge of the top about 1.5″ in and mark. Now, measure about 5″ down the outside edge and mark. Draw a line from top point to side point.

Now lay your pattern on a seperate piece of paper and trace around outside edge from the top point to the side point (it should look like a backwards upside down “L”). Extend the width and length of the arms of the “L”by 1.5”. Next, remove the pattern and create the “curve” of your pocket. I just pictured a fist in a pocket to get the right curve. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Your pattern piece should look like this.

You have a pocket but now you need some lining. Trace and cut a pocket pattern from your lining fabric. On front pattern of shorts, cut diagonally down line you created for the pocket.

Lay the fabric lining under front pattern and line up pattern. Since you don’t want your lining to hang out of your pocket, you need to trim it. Draw a line down edge of front pattern on lining and trim away extra fabric. When you are finished this is what all of your pieces should look like.

The hard part is done!!!! Way to go! Now it is just sewing everything together. I used a zigzag stitch on my seams to keep them together and prevent any fraying of my fabric.

Start with your pockets. With right side of fabric facing each other, sew along curve of the pocket on each pocket. ONLY the curve.

Now grab the matching side of shorts and line up edges of pocket and shorts. The diagonal of the lining should line up with the diagonal of the shorts. Fold back pocket fabric and stitch lining to shorts along the diagonal.

Next, align pocket with front of shorts. Sew across top edge and bottom side to hold the pocket in place.

From this point forward, everything is the same as in the pajama pants tutorial.
Place both sides of front of shorts on top of each other with right side facing in. Sew down curve of shorts. Repeat with back two pieces of shorts. Iron your seams.

Next, place the two pieces you just created on top of each other with the right sides of fabric facing each other and pin together along inseam. Sew from the bottom of one leg around to the bottom of the other leg, reinforcing your stitch at the crotch.

You are in the home stretch! Turn your shorts inside out and fold down waistband to create a pocket for your elastic. Place two pins approximately 1″ apart and sew around waist from pin to pin.

Thread your elastic through the waistband by connecting one end to your safety pin and pushing the safety pin through. Be sure to hold on to your other end so you don’t accidentally pull it through! Sew your two ends of elastic together. I overlapped my elastic and used a stitched box for extra hold. After your elastic is secure, close the area between the two pins on your waistband.

Final step is the length! If you have your lucky boy around to try on the shorts, now is the perfect time! If not, you can measure your shorts leg length off of the pair of shorts your used to create your pattern. To create your hem, turn the shorts insdie out. Fold rough edge of pants leg up about 1/2″, iron, then repeat again. Add a zigzag stitch around the entire shorts leg.

You are finished!!! Here are some action shots of the finished product. Unfortunately, my model never stands still but I guess it’s okay with a smile like his!! I love these cute boys shorts!